Strengthening the Community Thank You

Academic Partnerships for Research 

By Aimee Swartz


Closing the Gap, Working Toward Our Goal • August 2003


By partnering with locally-based organizations, universities have An offshoot of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study, 

the means and the mission to transform their communities the JHS is a three-year project that began in the fall of 2000. By the 

into safer, more productive, and healthier places. The Jackson end of study enrollment, there will be 6,500 African American men 

Heart Study (JHS) in Jackson, Mississippi is one such effort. JHS is an and women, ages 35-84, rendering it the largest CVD study conepidemiological investigation of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among ducted to date in the African American population. 

African American men and women in the Jackson metropolitan area. “The church is the cornerstone of the African American commuIt is a partnership among two, local Histori- nity,” said Smith, who does outreach at local 

cally Black Colleges and Universities—Jack­ churches, spreading the word of the JHS, as 

son State University and Tougaloo College— Minority Cardiovascular Disease well as general cardiovascular health. “The JHS 

the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Deaths in 2000 was built on the premise that the community 

the National Institutes of Health’s Center for is best able to solve local problems.” 77,523 Minority Health and Health Disparities, and African Americans In an effort to establish an environment of 

the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. trust in and support of JHS, Smith and her 

“Cardiovascular mortality rates in Missis- 25,819 colleagues work to ensure that local commusippi are the highest in the U.S. and are almost Hispanics nity members are involved in every phase of 

25 percent higher than the national average,” 9,101 the study. “We also conduct health promosaid Cynthia Smith of the Jackson State Uni- Asians/Pacific Islanders tion and education activities that stress the imversity Medical Center. 2,417 portance of healthy living, CVD disease, and 

Heart disease and stroke are the first and American Indians/Alaska Natives other health topics,” Smith said.

third killers of all Americans, with a dispro­ “Participation in the JHS does not only Source: Health, US, 2002 portionate burden carried by African Ameri­ identify risk factors and treatment options for 

cans. CVD is known to be higher in African CVD in African Americans, but it also proAmericans than all other racial and ethnic groups, but reasons for vides an excellent opportunity for African Americans to leave a legacy 

these differences have yet to be determined. of health for future generations,” she said. “It’s about doing ‘with’ and 

JHS studies the factors that influence the development of CVD not doing ‘to’ the community,” she added. 

in African American men and women. Emerging factors include ge- For more information about the Jackson Heart Study, call 601­

netics, racial discrimination, and socioeconomic status. 368-4650 or go to http://www.jsums.edu/~jhs

The Jackson Heart Study • Benefiting the Community 

Through community awareness, health education programs, and academic opportunities, the Jackson Heart Study aims to: 

 Enhance the community’s health awareness and understanding 

of cardiovascular disease through seminars and workshops on 

cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, cholesterol, and 

nutrition; 

 Provide insight into the development of new treatments for cardiovascular disease in African Americans; 

 Assist medical professionals in their understanding, diagnosis, and 

treatment of cardiovascular disease in African Americans; 

 Identify risk factors for cardiovascular disease in African Americans; 

 Enhance research capabilities at minority institutions by developing partnerships; 

 Provide an opportunity for African Americans to provide meaningful input into the development of a major research project that 

impacts their health; 

 Provide an opportunity for African Americans to leave a legacy of 

health for their future generations; and 

 Provide academic opportunities for minority high school students, college students, and health professionals in the health sciences. 

Strengthening the Community—Academic Partnerships for Research is based on the Summit workshop of the same title. 

Office of Minority Health Resource Center	 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services